User manual

PCI-1680U User Manual 2
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Description
PCI-1680U is special purpose communication card that offers connectiv-
ity to Controller Area Networks (CAN) on your PC. With its built-in
CAN controllers, the PCI-1680U provides bus arbitration and error detec-
tion with an automatic transmission repetition function. This drastically
reduces the chance of data loss and ensures system reliability. You can
run both CAN controllers independently at the same time. The PCI-
1680U operates at baud rates up to 1 Mbps and can be installed in a PC
expansion slot.
1.1.1 Controller Area Network
The CAN (Controller Area Network) is a serial bus system especially
suited for networking "intelligent" I/O devices as well as sensors and
actuators within a machine or plant. Characterized by its multi-master
protocol, real-time capability, error correction, high noise immunity, and
the existence of many different silicon components, the CAN serial bus
system, originally developed by Bosch for use in automobiles, is increas-
ingly being used in industrial automation.
1.1.2 Universal PCI
PCI-1680U provides truly universal connectivity, enabling a single prod-
uct to be used to implement systems with dramatically different resource
requirements. This makes PCI-1680U the most robust, most flexible, and
most economical choice for any application requiring isolation. PCI-
1680U uses a universal PCI connector compatible with both new 3.3 V
signaling support required for plug-in boards by the PCI 2.2 specification
and the 5 V signaling still used by many systems.
1.1.3 Optical Isolation Protection
On-board optical isolators protect your PC and equipment against dam-
age from ground loops, increasing system reliability in harsh environ-
ments.